How to Dispose of Muriatic Acid

Muriatic acid or hydrochloric acid is a standard household cleaning product. It is usually used to remove rust, clean a pool, toilet, mineral stains, and a lot more. The chemical is dangerous when not handled correctly and with care. However, no matter how dangerous it can be, muriatic acid is still the most used household substance.

To keep you safe, you need to understand the safety precautions for its safe disposal. If it touches your skin, the damage cannot be undone, and worse, it may lead to death.

In this article, we will tackle a step-by-step guide on how to dispose of muriatic acid safely.

Precautionary Measures When Disposing Muriatic Acid 

Here are some tips that can help you safely dispose of muriatic acid:

Cover your arms and legs

Muriatic acid is highly corrosive, and when the mist comes in contact with your skin, it can be dangerous. The mist is a hydrogen chloride vapor that needs to be avoided. To ensure that you are protected, cover your arm and legs. You can make use of a lab coat, or You can wear long sleeves and long pants.

You can also try the following things to ensure that you are fully protected:

Dispose of it in a ventilated area

Dispose of the muriatic acid in an open space and well-ventilated area. This will prevent the build-up of fumes. It will also reduce the level of toxins that you might inhale when disposing of it.

Make sure that you are away from children and pets

Children and pets can be a little messy at times. If the mist touches their skin, it may result in severe injuries. Accidental contact may cause death, and if it reaches the eye, it may cause permanent blindness. Hence, you need to make sure that you are away from them when disposing of the chemical.

Keep the muriatic acid away from metals and heat

Muriatic acid is not flammable. However, it reacts when it reaches any heat or metal-producing hydrogen gas. This gas is flammable and very dangerous. Don’t dispose of it near heat or metal to prevent the formation of hydrogen gas.

Bonus Tips:

If you are skeptical about disposing of muriatic acid by yourself, here are some alternative ways to safely dispose of muriatic acid:

• Let the local recycling center do the work

The local recycling center is an expert in handling toxic chemicals. They are trained to dispose of hazardous household substances like muriatic acid properly. They can easily be found in your area as they are one call away.

If your place doesn’t have a local recycling center, you can contact any household-removal service. The service fee may not be as low as the local recycling center, but they can also handle hazardous chemicals properly.

• Bring the chemical to the nearest hazardous-waste facility

A Hazardous-waste facility is mandatory in every place—the most common disposal facility for hazardous waste in a landfill. You can contact your local authorities to guide you to your local hazardous disposal facility.

Once you take the chemical to the facility, make sure that it is properly sealed with its original lid.

The Bottom Line

While disposing of muriatic acid looks easy to do, some states may vary the method of disposal. Thus, before you dispose of this harmful substance, you must check your state law. You can also reach out to your local authorities to know the proper hazardous disposal in your area.

Some states allow flush and dilute when disposing of this chemical substance, while others advise neutralization before disposal. Muriatic acid is hazardous because it is a corrosive substance. Hence, the highest standard of care is needed upon disposal.